Author: nvgrow

NV Grow Client Spotlight: Starburst Parlor Expands Its Reach and Its Story

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NV Grow client Starburst Parlor is gaining greater visibility as owner Jill Shlesinger continues to grow her unique Las Vegas bakery and share the personal story behind the business.

Jill was recently featured on FOX5 Las Vegas’ MORE Show, where she talked about Starburst Parlor’s expansion and how her own health journey inspired her entrepreneurial path. What began as a personal mission has grown into a distinctive bakery attracting customers from Las Vegas and around the world.

Along the way, Jill says NV Grow helped give her the confidence and tools to become a stronger storyteller and advocate for her business.

“NV Grow has really helped give me the confidence to tell my story and understand that my personal journey is an important part of the Starburst Parlor brand. They’ve encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, become more visible and share why this business means so much to me.” — Jill Shlesinger, Owner, Starburst Parlor

That visibility continues this weekend with Sunday Swing Brunch, a community event presented in collaboration with the Nevada Diabetes Association. The event combines Starburst Parlor’s signature retro personality with food, fun and community connection.

Starburst Parlor Sunday Swing Brunch

Sunday Swing Brunch
Sunday, September 13
Starting at 11 AM
Starburst Parlor
2202 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Jill’s journey is a great example of how small business owners can use their personal stories, community partnerships and increased visibility to connect with new audiences. Congratulations to Jill and the entire Starburst Parlor team on their continued growth!

Link to FOX 5 segment: https://www.fox5vegas.com/video/2026/09/08/sunday-morning-swing-dancing-raises-awareness-healthy-eating-celiac-gluten-free-food/

Nina Bailey: Building Stability, Creating Impact Through NV Grow

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For Nina Bailey, business is about more than profit. It’s about purpose.

As the founder of Milestone Living LLC, a Las Vegas-based housing solutions company, Bailey is transforming lives by providing safe, affordable transitional housing for individuals and families facing instability.

“What inspired me to start this company was seeing how many people fall through the cracks simply because they lack stable housing and support,” Bailey shares. “Housing is often the foundation for everything: employment, mental health, and long-term success.”

Her mission-driven approach focuses on restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity for vulnerable populations, including families experiencing homelessness and individuals rebuilding after incarceration. But like many entrepreneurs, Bailey faced early challenges, balancing compassion with structure, sustainability, and shifting public perception.

“Many people don’t immediately see the value in investing in vulnerable populations,” Bailey says. “But when people are given stability and support, transformation is possible.”

That’s where NV Grow became a true turning point. Through hands-on mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to critical resources, the program helped Bailey strengthen both the operational foundation and public presence of Milestone Living. From building a stronger digital footprint and professional branding to gaining access to grant training and business development support, NV Grow equipped her with the tools to scale with confidence.

“My counselor truly believed in my vision,” Bailey says. “That level of support and having a team that advocates for you, it made a huge difference.”

One of her biggest breakthroughs came when she secured a $20,000 small business grant, her first major funding win. “That moment was transformational for me as a business owner,” she reflects. “It confirmed that our work mattered and that others could see the impact we’re building.”

Today, Milestone Living serves 60 to 80 individuals and families annually, expanding beyond housing to provide pathways toward employment, education, and long-term independence. “I never knew how one decision to say ‘yes’ would change the way we work and the lives we’ve touched,” Bailey says.

In addition to her business, Bailey serves as Ms. Nevada Corporate America, using her platform to advocate for housing equity and community-driven solutions. “It’s about using your voice to create change,” she says. “I want people to see that you can lead with both compassion and ambition.”

Her advice to fellow entrepreneurs is both candid and empowering: “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Trust your vision and be bold. You deprive the world of your gifts when you shrink yourself.”

Looking ahead, Bailey plans to expand her reach and serve even more families, with a goal of helping 100 individuals annually by 2027. “My mission is to create pathways to stability, dignity, and opportunity,” she says. “Because when we invest in people, we strengthen entire communities.”

 

The Late Shift – Holiday Networking at the West Las Vegas Library

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Save the Date: Holiday Networking at the West Las Vegas Library!

What: The Late Shift: Grand Opening Holiday Networking Mixer
When: Tuesday December 9 | 5PM – 630PM
Where: West Las Vegas Library, 1861 North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Las VegasNV

Come mix, mingle and kick off the holiday season with local professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. We hope to see you there!
*We are sharing this as a community resource. This event is not sponsored by NV Grow.

HSBA Closing Event & Grants Awards Ceremony

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What an inspiring night at the Henderson Small Business Assistance (HSBA) Program Closing Event & Grant Awards Ceremony at the Firelight Barn!

Huge congratulations to all the local businesses recognized tonight for their incredible achievements. Your hard work is what fuels our community’s economic future, and it was an honor to celebrate each of you. Also a special shout-out to the partnership between the City of Henderson, College of Southern Nevada and NV Grow, that made this program possible. Here’s to continued growth, more innovation, and more success stories in 2026!

See more photos on our Instagram page here.

Momentum Builds: Second Cohort of the Henderson Small Business Assistance Program Kicks Off

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The second cohort of the Henderson Small Business Assistance Program is officially underway—a powerful, no-cost initiative designed to help Henderson entrepreneurs build thriving and resilient businesses.
Although the application period has ended, aspiring participants still have pathways to join this dynamic network. You can apply for NV Grow or join the waitlist for future HSBA Program opportunities by visiting nvgrow.org/henderson.
In partnership with the City of Henderson, the College of Southern Nevada’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development Division (CSN-SBED), and NV Grow, this six-month program delivers hands-on support, expert-led training, and resources that can make a real impact on small businesses in Henderson. Each participant is paired with an NV Grow counselor to develop a Resiliency Work Plan—a personalized strategy for addressing challenges and pursuing sustainable growth.
Program benefits include:
– Bi-weekly workshops (in-person and virtual) led by industry experts
– Training in marketing, GIS data, operations, finance, and customer strategy
– Exposure through the Henderson Chamber’s “Ready, Set, Expo”
– A $5,000 grant for business services provided by an NV Grow vendor
– A one-year membership to the Henderson Chamber of Commerce
These resources offer long-term value and actionable solutions—supporting businesses during the program and well beyond.
“Supporting small businesses is a key component of our City’s economic vitality,” said Jared Smith, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Henderson. “We saw such meaningful results with our first cohort, and we look forward to providing the same opportunities for even more small businesses to thrive right here in Henderson.”
Whether you’re working to stabilize operations or ready to scale, NV Grow and future HSBA cohorts provide the expert guidance, financial tools, and visibility needed to succeed. For more information, visit nvgrow.org/henderson

Clark County Commission to Distribute $500,000 in Grants

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UPDATE: Thank you for your interest in this grant program. We have been notified that this program has officially ended, and applications are now closed.

Clark County Commission to Distribute $500,000 in Grants

Supporting District D Small Businesses

 

Distributed through the Latin and Urban Chambers of Commerce, 

eligible small businesses qualify for $5,000-$10,000 in grant funding

 

CLARK COUNTY, Nev. (July 7, 2025) – Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy II of District D today announced that Clark County will distribute $500,000 in grant funding to disadvantaged small businesses in District D to support their growth, retention, and expansion.

 

Clark County has partnered with the Latin and Urban Chambers of Commerce to disperse the grant funding to eligible small businesses in the district. The maximum amount home-based business applicants or subrecipients can receive is $5,000. The maximum amount storefront business applicants or subrecipients can receive is $10,000. Small businesses do not have to be members of either chamber to receive grant funding. Recipients have full discretion in how they use the funding, whether for day-to-day operations, growth initiatives, or other priorities.

 

“This program is a strategic investment in the growth of our small businesses, which play an essential role in the strength of the local economy,” said McCurdy. “By assisting small business owners who may lack access to traditional financing, this competitive grant program will help drive job creation and economic development across District D and the larger Clark County economy.”

 

To qualify, businesses must be physically located in Clark County Commission District D, have 20 or fewer full-time employees, and have been in operation for at least six months before Jan. 1, 2025. Sole proprietors are eligible. Business owners can check if their business is located in District D by using the Clark County OpenWeb tool or by viewing the Clark County District D map.

 

Business owners can review full eligibility requirements and apply through either the Latin Chamber of Commerce or the Urban Chamber of Commerce website. As a competitive grant program, funding will be approved and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Apply today by clicking here!

 

About the Clark County Office of Community and Economic Development

The Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) is the primary resource for new, established, and prospective businesses interested in investing, expanding, or relocating to Clark County, Nevada. With a dedicated team of experts, OCED provides businesses and developers with the answers, tools, and resources needed to start a new project or expand an existing business. Home to 2.3 million residents, Clark County covers roughly 8,000 square miles and is the 11th-largest county in the nation. Committed to enhancing and supporting the economic viability of the unincorporated areas of Clark County and advancing inclusive, sustainable growth, OCED is building awareness of the economic opportunities “bright beyond the lights” of Las Vegas.

Side Hustle Expo CSN

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North Las Vegas, NV (April 18, 2025): The College of Southern Nevada’s (CSN) Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development Division is hosting the Side Hustle Expo on May 1, 2025, from 3PM – 5PM at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus, inside the June Whitley Student Lounge. The event provides a platform for students to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures and gain access to valuable resources to further develop their businesses.

In collaboration with the City of North Las Vegas (City of NLV), EmployNV, CSN Career Services and the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Expo will include pre-event support, a robust judging panel, and a post-event workshop series designed to turn participants’ side hustles into sustainable businesses.

Eric Garner, Director of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development Division at CSN, said, “Given that small businesses are the backbone of Nevada’s economy, events like these are essential for fostering local innovation and growth.”

The Expo will feature inspiring words from North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown and a distinguished judging panel, including North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Scott Black and representatives from our partner organizations. They will bring expertise from various business sectors to provide meaningful feedback and guidance. From June to July 2025, the North Las Vegas Small Business Connector (SBC), in collaboration with SBDC and EmployNV, will host a seven-part workshop series designed to help students scale their ventures. Topics of this optional workshop series will include:

● Business Strategy & Market Opportunities

● Business Plan Development & Growth Strategies

● Legal Structure & Licensing

● Branding & Marketing Strategies

● Team & Financial Management

● Long-term Planning & Business Sustainability

To encourage participation and recognize student achievements, 40 participating students will receive prizes, including:

● One of Five $1,000 prizes or

● One of Thirty-five $100 bookstore vouchers

Funding for these prizes is generously provided by SBED and Blackstone LaunchPad.

The public is invited to attend this free event.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit this link.

Mesquite Grow: Advance your Business on your Terms

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Starting in April 2025, it’s time to turn your ideas into a business or scale your existing operations with expert support.

Mesquite Grow is offering two FREE online programs (also available onsite at CSN’s satellite campus: 140 North Yucca Street, Mesquite). One provides entrepreneurial training for new ideas to expand into business operations and the other provides business existing operations to grow.

Grow 1: Entrepreneurial Training:

An 8-week program of alternating expert instruction and mentor support. National experts at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) are partnering to provide Mesquite with access to essential business basics, planning tools and support to convey your idea into a viable business.

Grow 2: Business Development:

A self-paced program of business analysis and refinement that is driven by the participant’s growth targets and preferred pace. Cofounder is partnering to provide access to real-time expert feedback and business intelligence tools to grow and scale your operations.

Mesquite Grow provides additional connectivity to business resources and financing across the region to support candidate success. Program is hosted locally at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), in concert with the Mesquite Opportunities Regional Fund, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED’s Main Street Program and Office of Entrepreneurship).

For those who are interested, the application process takes just 5 minutes to complete. Acceptance into the program is expected in late March.

For more information, go to https://mesquiteworks.org/grow

*This is a community resource and not sponsored by NV Grow*

Nevada Grow’s First Media Training Workshop of 2025 Focuses on Business Storytelling Skills

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On February 13, 2025, entrepreneurs and small businesses from across Southern Nevada gathered at the Blackstone Launchpad Entrepreneurship Center at CSN North Las Vegas Campus for the first media training workshop in 2025 hosted by NV Grow. This class has been held for the past 3 years and taught by Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur, Patranya Bhoolsuwan. The workshop focused on helping small business owners and entrepreneurs better amplify their brands through more effective storytelling skills. A veteran TV journalist, Patranya, now uses her communications skills to run her own media consulting business. She also helps her clients build more visibility and exposure by helping to place them on various media outlets in Nevada and across the country. 
One attendee of the media training workshop was Olive Enriquez, the Founder and Creative Director of Luna Design International. She said during the class Patranya helped draw out a detail about her background that she now wants to amplify to attract more customers.

“Over the years, I earned the title of “Bagoong Queen”, thanks to the labels I have designed for numerous brands for this distinctly Filipino food product. I have never thought about promoting this part of my business more, but now I realize it tells a unique story of entrepreneurial journey, and I need to embrace it.”

In addition, as part of this media training workshop, attendees learn other skills including conducting live interviews, relaxation tips for public speaking, and tips on pitching news stories to the media.

For the date of our next media training workshop, follow our social media pages for updates.